Bobcat’s electric mini set to steal the show

March 2019

Bobcat's stand at bauma 2019 - a major construction event set to be held next month (April 8 to 14) in Munich, Germany - will promote every area of the equipment manufacturer’s business, with a vibrant show of brand new and existing products and their applications.

A star attraction will be the launch of the new Bobcat E10e electric mini-excavator, says a company spokesman, adding it is the industry’s first commercially available fully electric, zero tail swing (ZTS) mini-excavator in the one-tonne class.

The E10e will be presented both in the demonstration area on the stand, and in its own dedicated zone, one of six on the stand that demonstrate applications for Bobcat products.

In addition to a full display of Bobcat mini-excavators including several new models, visitors will also see the complete product portfolio from Bobcat with new telehandlers, compact loaders and attachments presented in different application zones. These include material handling, earthmoving, roadwork, landscaping and demolition.

The display of Bobcat machines will be complemented by advanced augmented reality technology. The stand will also include areas dedicated to the company’s enhanced aftermarket parts and services as well as financing solutions.

Developed at the Bobcat Innovation Centre in Dobris in the Czech Republic, in conjunction with electric vehicle specialists, the new E10e is based on the design of the very successful conventional E10 mini-excavator, the market leader in the one-tonne class. Confirming this market leadership, Bobcat has sold well over 10,000 E10s in just 10 years (the E10 is now called the E10z to reflect that it is a ZTS mini-excavator).

With its ZTS profile, no emissions, a low-noise operation and a width of just 72 cm, the new E10e can easily pass through standard doors and in and out of lifts, making it ideal for indoor applications such as demolition and basement construction, says the spokesman.

In addition, by coupling the E10e to an optional external Bobcat super-charger while operators are on normal work breaks, the E10e can operate for a full eight-hour working day.

The E10e is part of a display that will cover the entire Bobcat mini-excavator range, incorporating the company’s new R-Series for the first time at bauma. Comprising five models (E26, E27z, E27, E34 and E35z) from two to four tonnes, the new R-Series offers the best combination of high digging forces, outstanding stability and precise controllability in this category. In addition, the lower weight of the machines makes transportation easier.

The new E27, E34 and E35z R-Series mini-excavators will form the core of the Earthmoving Zone. “Even with its optional heavy counterweight, the conventional swing E27 model offers just 280 mm of tail overhang which allows the machine to be operated in confined spaces. This makes the machine an ideal tool for highly demanding applications where performance together with transportability have a priority over compactness,” the spokesman points out.

The 3.4-tonne E34 features a new roomy premium cab with optional powerful air-conditioning to ensure an ideal operator environment in all weather conditions. When transportability on a trailer and ZTS are not needed, this machine offers a great mix of performance, stability and operator comfort.

In the 3.5-tonne E35z, the ZTS functionality is taken a level further using Bobcat’s Zero House Swing (ZHS) design, in which the front upper structure is also fully protected by ensuring the front corners are kept within the swing circle over the tracks. The ZHS functionality provides the peace-of-mind of 320 degrees of free rotation when working close to walls and other obstructions, without sacrificing on operator comfort or performance.

The Roadwork Zone features the new R-Series E27z ZHS mini-excavator and Bobcat S630 and S770 skid-steer loaders equipped with the new Bobcat WS-SL20 wheel saw and PSL120 self-levelling planer attachments.

The fifth member of the new R-Series mini-excavators – the E26 – can be seen in the Landscaping Zone. To overcome a common issue in the rental market and thus protect uptime, the E26 is equipped with extra innovative features such as the cylinder-inside-boom (CIB) workgroup and also offers increased protection against bucket collision with the cab.

The E26 will be equipped with a new 85-cm flail mower attachment, part of a new line of light-duty flail mowers designed to fit the complete range of Bobcat compact excavators from 1.5 to eight tonnes. The new flail mowers do not have a drain line for simple installation (plug-and-play) and have a roller and self-levelling design for ease of use, with a 10-second stop for increased safety. These user-friendly flail mowers are a perfect fit for rental companies.

The final zone on the Bobcat stand is the Demolition Zone, which will feature the best-selling Bobcat E10z mini-excavator.

The E10z has a maximum digging depth of 1.82 m and a machine weight of 1,066 kg.

“One of the main features that differentiates the E10z from other machines on the market is the patented side adjustable consoles which accommodate hydraulic pilot pressure-controlled joysticks. This design is unique in its class, allowing the operator to enjoy the comfort and feel of much larger machines, whilst being able to adjust the width of the consoles for easy passage through narrow openings,” the spokesman concludes.

Gulf Construction is the undisputed leading trade journal for the building and construction industries of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states.
The magazine provides editorial coverage on a wide range of topics which are of interest to industry professionals. In addition, regular features highlight technological developments within specific industry fields.
Launched more than 30 years ago, the magazine has established an enviable reputation as an authoritative, respected journal with unmatched coverage of the Gulf region.
Gulf Construction is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the region’s building and construction industry.